Boutique Beach, South Ari Atoll
Eco-conscious boutique dive resort on the local island of Dhigurah
per room, full board
Overview
- Luxury boutique resort with an authentic Maldivian atmosphere
- Encounter whale sharks and manta rays at world-renowned dive sites
- Stylish rooms with camera workstations and private balcony or garden
- Relax on the 2.5km beach just steps from the resort
Located on the delightful local island of Dhigurah, Boutique Beach is an intimate luxury resort designed with divers’ needs in mind. Overlooking a beautiful 2.5km beach and the atoll’s stunning lagoon, Boutique Beach resort is perfectly placed to offer relaxing island getaways with superb diving and regular whale shark encounters.
Rooms
- Item 1 of 2
Deluxe suites
1 x Double bed, sleeps 2 guests
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Private terrace...from $419 /night
Resort checklist
Meal plans:
- Full Board
Diving in South Ari Atoll
- Whale sharkYear round
- WrecksYear round
- Healthy coralsNot frequently
- Plentiful reef lifeYear round
- Manta RaysFrom November to March
- StingraysNot frequently
- TurtlesYear round
- Giant frogfishNot frequently
From the famous whale sharks of Maamigili reef, to current-driven drifts through reef channels, and one of the finest wrecks in the Maldives, you can’t go wrong with South Ari Atoll’s dive sites.
Whale sharks in South Ari
Whale sharks are the highlight in South Ari Atoll with year-round potential to view these gentle giants. The South Ari Marine Protected Area is renowned for almost daily sightings, and you’ve got a pretty good chance almost no matter what time of year you visit. During the Northeast monsoon from December to April, they tend to be seen more to the west, then the whale sharks move over to the east during the Southwest monsoon between May and November. Wherever they are spotted, you'll can swim alongside these wonderful creatures as they feed and cruise along the reef.
Manta rays are also seen in South Ari, particularly at Madivaru – also known as Manta point – a marine protected reef on the south of Rangali Kandu. The best chance to see them is during the northeast monsoon from December to May. And manta rays or not, you’ll still see plenty of fish at this well-known site. The Machchafushi Wreck – also known as Kudhimaa Wreck – is also a highlight of South Ari’s diving. The boat was purposefully sunk in 1998, and now sits upright and fully intact. With its large propeller, prominent wheelhouse, crane structure, and plenty of doorways, this wreck is a photographer’s dream. You’ll also find a host of life including batfish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and moray eels. In the central region of Ari there are some classic thilas, and while the atoll is not small, most of the stunning sites are accessible from any of the resorts in South Ari.